Buhl Regional Health Foundation Launches New Strategic Framework

HERMITAGE, Pa. – Buhl Regional Health Foundation has launched its newly developed strategic framework, which sets the foundation’s priority, focus and strategy for achieving a healthier community over the next three years.

The strategic framework focuses the foundation’s efforts on improving the health and wellness of youths in Mercer County. It seeks to make an impact through health-focused programming, education, grants, scholarships and collaboration with local organizations.

“Since its inception, the Buhl Regional Health Foundation has been dedicated to better understanding our area’s health and health care needs,” said Dr. George Garrow, CEO of Primary Health Network and a Buhl Regional board member. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to have heard from our community about the unique challenges we face and look forward to concentrating on areas where we believe we can, collaboratively and collectively, offer the greatest impact.”

The private foundation is a grantmaking organization located at 1955 Shenango Valley Freeway. It was formed with proceeds from the sale of the former Sharon Regional Health System and became a private foundation in 2021. The foundation has granted more than $5.3 million to organizations working to improve the health and wellness of the community, along with $190,000 granted to local students furthering their education in a health-related field of study.

“The Buhl Regional Health Foundation’s strategic framework/focus will serve as a catalyst for addressing Mercer County’s negative health status, establishing a positive and healthy position for the next generation,” said Angela Palumbo, board chair of the foundation. “Our youth and their health outcomes are the future of Mercer County.”

In addition to the foundation’s new priority and geographic focus, its grant process is also changing. Although the foundation may open sporadic grant cycles, it will now work to identify specific needs in the community, issuing Requests for Proposals seeking resolutions to the needs identified. Also, a new mini grant is now available to applicants who seek funding for small projects with the potential for a large impact on the health of Mercer County’s youths. Mini grant applications will be accepted via the foundation’s Grant Portal on an ongoing basis.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.